“Wild Spirits, Sacred Symbols”
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor
“Wild Spirits, Sacred Symbols” showcases a collection of works inspired by ancient Cambodian documents and traditional beliefs. At its heart are yantras – sacred diagrams deeply rooted in Khmer culture. Passed down through generations, these intricate designs are believed to hold spiritual and magical powers, offering protection, attracting good fortune, and ensuring prosperity. Traditionally, yantras are placed in homes, carried as talismans, and even incorporated into the foundations of new houses to bring blessings and ward off negative influences.
The artwork also highlights mythical creatures, often regarded as divine beings, paired with pali (sacred chants). These creatures, frequently depicted in ancient Khmer stories and temple carvings, are readily recognizable from iconic sites like the three-headed elephants at Bayon Temple. Each piece in this exhibit transforms traditional black-and-white yantras into vibrant, contemporary art. By combining intricate patterns with Khmer mantras, the works breathe life into sacred designs while honoring their cultural and spiritual origins.
A yantra is a complex pattern of interlocking designs, traditionally drawn on cloth, paper, or other materials. These drawings often include sacred inscriptions and are accompanied by the chanting of mantras. Believed to provide protection and bring blessings, yantras are revered in Cambodian culture. This exhibit features various forms of yantras, including the Four-Faced Yantra, Eight-Faced Yantra, and other traditional designs, each with its own unique significance. Experience the fusion of ancient tradition, nature, and modern artistry in this celebration of Khmer heritage.
Artwork available exclusively at:
Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor – Siem Reap, Cambodia
18 January – 30 April 2025
Exhibit Artwork
“THE UNIVERSE”
Acrylic on canvas – 85cm x 100cm – 2024
$6,500
The universe, space, time, and everything within it has always fascinated me. I find a particular resonance in the work of blacksmith ancestors, whose artistry blended literary expression with a profound understanding of the natural world.
When I walk through ancient temples, I feel a tangible, almost mystical energy emanating from every corner. This feeling inspired this piece, which features three-headed elephants, guardians of sacred spaces, and the eight-directional yantra. This yantra symbolizes powerful iron incantations that offer protection in all directions, much like the imposing and protective design of the Bayon temple when viewed from above.
“WEDNESDAY BLESSING SPELL”
Acrylic on canvas – 135cm x 165cm – 2024
$20,000
This yantra is a whispered legacy from my Khmer ancestors, their wisdom etched in sacred geometry. It’s more than a diagram; it’s a living echo of their profound connection to the cosmos. Picture them meticulously observing the world—the seasons, the stars—weaving these insights with ancient myths and Pali scriptures. These weren’t mere calculations, but acts of devotion, seeking to understand the universe itself.
This yantra resonates with those born on Wednesday, their spirit carried by the majestic elephant bearing nine lotus blossoms. Nine, the number of earthly kings, pulses with power and the promise of good fortune. It speaks of a lineage that revered the potent energy of odd numbers—1, 3, 5, 7, 9—seeing their reflection in nature and the very structure of their temples, from soaring spires to the steps we climb. These numbers weren’t just decorative; they were integral to their understanding of harmony, shaping everything from grand architecture to everyday tools.
For my ancestors, belief was a vibrant force, a path to inner peace and spiritual strength. It was a recognition of nature’s profound power—life-giving rain, the celestial dance, forces that both nurtured and devastated. This yantra is a testament to that enduring belief, a tangible link to a heritage that continues to inspire.
“MORNING KING OF THE PEACOCK”
Acrylic on canvas – 135cm x 165cm – 2024
$18,000
“NIGHT KING OF THE PEACOCK”
Acrylic on canvas – 135cm x 165cm – 2024
$20,000
Visualize a golden peacock, a Bodhisattva in feathered form, living peacefully in the Himalayas, protected by daily mantras. But a distant king, spurred by his queen’s dream of a wise teacher, not a prize, became obsessed. He sought the peacock, believing its flesh granted immortality. For seven years, hunters risked their lives in this desperate pursuit, some even dying. Even the queen, whose dream ignited it all, perished from longing. Yet, seven rulers continued the tragic chase.
Imagine the hunter who finally succeeded. Realizing the peacock’s power came from his pre-meal mantra, he used a female peacock’s allure as a distraction. The mantra was forgotten, and the Bodhisattva was captured. Before the seventh king, the peacock’s wisdom shone. He challenged the flawed immortality claim, asking how his death could grant eternal life, then revealed a past life as a righteous king, proving it with the location of his buried chariot.
The king finally understood and freed him. With compassion, the peacock offered one last lesson: heedfulness (appamada), mindful living. Then, the golden peacock returned to the Himalayas, a powerful symbol of wisdom and righteous conduct triumphing over false promises of immortality, a reminder of life’s cyclical nature.
“GOLDEN TREE”
Acrylic on canvas – 135cm x 165cm – 2024
$3,500
This painting is a deeply personal exploration of connection and belonging. Born under the Metal element, I’ve always felt a pull towards the lush embrace of the forest, a fascination ignited by the Wood Dragon, the element of my birth year. Though not my own, this element resonates within me, a silent whisper of kinship with the natural world.
This piece envisions a meeting within the heart of an ancient forest: the Dragon’s powerful presence alongside the elegant peacock, the vehicle of Maharathari, one of Kabil Maha Brahma’s seven daughters who descends each year to watch over our Earth. A golden tree stands as a central beacon, a symbol of the invaluable worth of the forest to our planet.
The Year of the Wood Dragon, also known as the Year of the Naga, holds profound significance in Khmer tradition. The Dragon, a symbol of strength, nobility, and success, is typically associated with Earth. Yet, in 2024, the Wood element takes precedence, creating a harmonious blend reflected in the year’s lucky colors: gold, yellow, and green. This painting is an homage to this powerful convergence, a visual representation of my own deep connection to the enduring spirit of the Wood Dragon and the life-giving force of the forest.
For my ancestors, belief was a vibrant force, a path to inner peace and spiritual strength. It was a recognition of nature’s profound power—life-giving rain, the celestial dance, forces that both nurtured and devastated. This yantra is a testament to that enduring belief, a tangible link to a heritage that continues to inspire.
“SATURDAY BLESSING SPELL”
Acrylic on canvas – 85cm x 100cm – 2024
$6,500
This yantra is a whispered legacy from my Khmer ancestors, their wisdom etched in sacred geometry. It’s more than a diagram; it’s a living echo of their profound connection to the cosmos. Picture them meticulously observing the world—the seasons, the stars—weaving these insights with ancient myths and Pali scriptures. These weren’t mere calculations, but acts of devotion, seeking to understand the universe itself.
This yantra resonates with those born on Wednesday, their spirit carried by the majestic elephant bearing nine lotus blossoms. Nine, the number of earthly kings, pulses with power and the promise of good fortune. It speaks of a lineage that revered the potent energy of odd numbers—1, 3, 5, 7, 9—seeing their reflection in nature and the very structure of their temples, from soaring spires to the steps we climb. These numbers weren’t just decorative; they were integral to their understanding of harmony, shaping everything from grand architecture to everyday tools.
For my ancestors, belief was a vibrant force, a path to inner peace and spiritual strength. It was a recognition of nature’s profound power—life-giving rain, the celestial dance, forces that both nurtured and devastated. This yantra is a testament to that enduring belief, a tangible link to a heritage that continues to inspire.
“MOTHER EARTH”
Acrylic on canvas – 50cm x 85cm – 2024
$2,500
This yantra is a whispered legacy from my Khmer ancestors, their wisdom etched in sacred geometry. It’s more than a diagram; it’s a living echo of their profound connection to the cosmos. Picture them meticulously observing the world—the seasons, the stars—weaving these insights with ancient myths and Pali scriptures. These weren’t mere calculations, but acts of devotion, seeking to understand the universe itself.
This yantra resonates with those born on Wednesday, their spirit carried by the majestic elephant bearing nine lotus blossoms. Nine, the number of earthly kings, pulses with power and the promise of good fortune. It speaks of a lineage that revered the potent energy of odd numbers—1, 3, 5, 7, 9—seeing their reflection in nature and the very structure of their temples, from soaring spires to the steps we climb. These numbers weren’t just decorative; they were integral to their understanding of harmony, shaping everything from grand architecture to everyday tools.
For my ancestors, belief was a vibrant force, a path to inner peace and spiritual strength. It was a recognition of nature’s profound power—life-giving rain, the celestial dance, forces that both nurtured and devastated. This yantra is a testament to that enduring belief, a tangible link to a heritage that continues to inspire.
“THE PARENTS SPELL”
Acrylic on canvas – 113cm x 84cm – 2021
$9,000 USD
For Cambodians, gratitude to our parents is woven into the very fabric of our being. They are the ones who guide us, nurture us, and shape us into the people we are meant to be. This love isn’t something that ends when we grow up; it’s a constant presence, a reminder of the unwavering devotion that has been with us since our first breath.
This painting is a tribute to that enduring bond, a celebration of the profound love that defines the parent-child relationship in Cambodian culture. It speaks of the deep respect and reverence we hold for those who gave us life.
“TROPICAL SHOOTS”
Acrylic on canvas – 50cm x 85cm – 2020
$3,500
The legendary Rama, seventh avatar of Vishnu, finds himself in a world of smartphones and social media. The hero of the Vana Paroa and the Ramayana, now holding a device that connects him to the world with a touch. The irony isn’t lost: as he explores our digital age, a new generation is turning back to the dusty pages of books, seeking the very magic Rama embodied. It’s a poignant reminder that even in the face of constant change, some truths remain timeless.
“SOUND OF THE RIVER
Acrylic on canvas – 50cm x 85cm – 2020
$3,500
I remember when the rice paddies here, near Battambang, were a mirror of the Sangker River – a vibrant, endless green. They breathed with the river’s flow, a lifeblood for our village. Now, that green has faded, stolen by the relentless march of deforestation and dams. The river, once so generous, now struggles to give life, leaving the land thirsty and cracked. The laughter of children, once echoing through the fields, is replaced by a heavy silence. So many of our young people have left, drawn away by the promise of work elsewhere, leaving a hole in the heart of our community.
“THE SPIRIT OF INSCRIPTION”
Watercolor on paper – Size: A2 – 2023
$1,800
One day during the rainy season, I walked into the forest in the Angkor area. Under a light drizzle, with the sounds of cicadas and tree frogs singing in harmony, and in front of me, a unique ancient temple, Prasat Baksei Chamkrong, it made me think of the souls of Khmer ancestors who built this temple. Were they humans or gods to have created something so extraordinary?
Immersed in the emotions evoked by the surrounding nature, I felt as if I was in a different time, transported back to a peaceful time 1000 years ago. Therefore, I chose the tree frog that sang there as the subject of my painting, and I added the inscription carved on the walls of Prasat Baksei Chamkrong as the soul of peace.